Sunday, March 15, 2009

The Nigerian government is currently considering a bill that would further criminalize same-sex relationships that would impose a minimum 3 year prison sentence for “anyone who has ‘entered into a same gender marriage contract’” as “an affront to family values!” Sound familiar? Mayor Eze of the Nigerian National Assembly said the bill was necessary to protect family values.

Anyone who “witnesses, abet and aids the solemnization” of a same gender marriage would face five years in prison, or a fine.

The law would make it easier for the police to arrest suspects, and criminalize anyone working in a human rights organization that dealt with gay rights, they say.

This is a further affront by the Nigerian government on the human rights of their LGBT citizens and allies. Please take a moment to voice your opposition to this egregious bill.

Here is the contact information for the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: